K&W HO Scale Model Railroad, Construction Update #28 - Vacation's over! The poll is back!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.ย. 2024
- This is a bi-weekly updated (usually every other Friday) record of the construction progress of my model railroad layout. I conduct a poll at the end of each update asking my viewers what area of the layout they would like to see me focus on for the next video.
Details of my layout are listed below:
Scale: HO/OO
Design: Triple deck, around the walls with a peninsula and two helices
Design Inspiration: Layout style around-the-walls - David Barrow's Cat Mountain & Santa Fe Location - El Dorado, Kansas to west of Canon City, Colorado via highway routes: 254/400/50
Era: 1980's to Modern Day
Roadnames: Missouri Pacific, Southern Pacific, Denver & Rio Grande Western, Santa Fe, BNSF, Union Pacific
Style: Prototypical-Freelance
Size: L-shaped room, larger leg is 26'x15', smaller leg is 14'x5'
Construction: Combination shelf and box frame
Materials: 1/2" plywood base with varying thicknesses of extruded foam board subroadbed, over 1x and 2x lumber frame
Track: Atlas Code 83 in Staging and helices, Micro Engineering Code 83 on the main lines, Micro Engineering and Walthers Code 70 everywhere else
Minimum Main Line Radius: 24"
Minimum turnout frog: #6
Lighting: LED fixtures and strip lights
Operating System: DCC NCE PowerCab with booster(s)
It’s actually looking fantastic. Just remember it’s your railroad and if you like what you’re doing then that’s all that matters.
Very true! Thank you !
In awe of all the aspects of this layout…I’m guessing the gorge will a “signature scene”…continue to develop it…
Thank you for your comment and vote! Yes, the Royal Gorge Route is just a fond memory of every trip through that area in Colorado...a combination of love of trains and beautiful mountain scenery. I am nervous about attempting to recreate the scene, but very excited to see it come to fruition.
Fantastic looking to date! Don't stress/worry about keeping timelines, etc. This is a hobby, supposed to be fun, not a chore/job. No time constraints, enjoy the journey! You asked for suggestions on scenery, I have one you may wish to consider, especially for your numerous concrete silos. IRL they obviously aren't single pour, they are poured in sections called slip seams (horizontal bands) at 10’ intervals from bottom/base to top, for remainder of whats left to achieve desired height (so would be
I know what you are referring to and that is a great detail idea! I live close to the prototype of that elevator and I intend to take some photos myself when it's time to start painting that monstrosity. Until this layout, my scenery consisted of crumpled paper bags to simulate rock walls (when I was a kid). The Royal Gorge Route is my first foray into serious scenery and although I was apprehensive at first, I am enjoying it the more I work on it. I am really looking forward to adding details across the entire layout like what you mentioned and am constantly amazed and impressed by what I find on others' layouts. Keep the suggestions coming! I've received, and used, all sorts of great suggestions by my viewers. It may be my railroad, but I am still inexperienced in many aspects and certainly can't think of everything.
Dear K&W, you could use the XPS foam to directly make a rock face. Makes the scene a lot lighter than adding loads of plaster. Cutting and breaking XPS makes a bit of a mess, but it may just be a good technique to use for your layout. Dave Meek from Thunder Mesa has some excellent vids on converting flat foam into great rock faces! Cheerio
Thank you for the recommendation! That is the technique that I intend to use as I have seen many videos using that technique and love its simplicity. My issue for now is trying to figure out exactly how much/how high/how deep to stack the foam as a starting point. I have resigned myself to experimentation to resolve that issue which is why I won't be gluing any foam to the layout until I figure out what works first.
You are correct about the size of the pump jacks. The deeper the well, greater power is needed for lift, hence a larger pump jack. The other variable is the weight of the product being extracted.
Good point!
Continue painting & ballasting main & sidings; finish more industrial spur track; great progress
@@tommaxwell198 Vote recorded! Thank you!
Looks Great !!!
Thank you!
So awesome, just keep up the great work! If it were my layout, once I have track in place I would build all of my structures! Then add all the details that I want and lastly paint rails & ballast! Thanks for sharing sharing layout!
@@cjbeyer8340 Thank you and thanks for watching!
I use plaster cloth and Sculptamold on my mountains and rock faces. I think it looks more realistic and lets your creativity flow in regards to recreating the natural cracks and shaping of rock faces. Some people use rock molds but I like to shape them myself, personal preference.
@@RickGaffney Thanks Rick. I've tried using rock molds in the past and agree that they do look realistic. However, after watching several videos on carving extruded foam, and giving that method a try, I think that is the route I shall follow.
Awesome job. River looks great.
@@carl6629 Thank you! I need to paint the plywood temporarily so it doesn't look like such a mess.
Very nice update on the layout 👍😊. My vote is for the Royal Gorge Route ! I would not use the expansion foam it’s a mess and doesn’t look right. I would keep doing what you are doing with the stack foam to get height ideas 💡…. I say stack it higher towards the helix to help hide it . 😊
Thank you for your vote! I have seen others have success using the expanding foam which is why I tried it out but I need to refer back to their videos to remember how they used it. I think I will be stacking the foam as much as 60-75% of the height of the entire backdrop for the Royal Gorge Route, and probably 100% around the portal. The difficult part will be varying the depth in places so it doesn't all look like one solid sheer wall that barely clears the tracks the entire route, because that isn't the case on the prototype. This will certainly be an interesting and challenging task.
My wife and I will be visiting the Royal Gourge and Canon City in August. Looking forward to it. Layout is looking good! Keep it up! Looking forward to seeing your progress
I'm jealous! I'm hoping to make the trip next year for my 50th birthday! I'm also planning to catch a ride on the Durango Silverton. Have a good trip and thanks for watching!
Maybe some Track Weathering/Ballast? I'm curious to see how much progress you can make by the time the next video is out.
@@aleccooley4357 First vote! Thank you!
Always love to watch video for ideas to adapt or try to adapt to my "N" scale
Thank you! I used to ignore videos about the "other scales", but to my own disadvantage. Ideas from all the scales can often translate to my own and vice-versa.
Hope you had a great vacation, good improvements on the layout. My vote is for Buildings
We did...although mother nature let us down for the train ride. A rockslide in Colorado made our train 7 hours late so we had to cancel the entire train trip due to connection issues so we ended up driving instead. Amtrack came through though with a full refund though so it all worked out. Thanks for the vote!
Looking good down the river. Perhaps some ballasting and weathering 👍
Vote recorded! Thank you!
Fantastic, I vote to continue the Royal (?) Gorge Route. I prefer foam for scenery so looks to me like what you're doing will work. Great layout!!
Vote recorded! Thank you!
Fantastic update layout looks great lots of work to do but well worth it. Great share have a great day and enjoy
@@tracksidemike Thank you!
Looking great!!
I'd say continue with the gorge scene
Vote recorded! Thank you!
I hope you had a great visit and vacation. The layout update was great and the gorge is taking shape. I guess you should continue that so you can get a better idea of how you think it should look.
Thank you and thank you for your vote!
always looking geat, need more job on track paint and ballast
@@ronaldrondeau7870 Vote recorded! Thank you!
Would continue with your foam. Maybe look at carving rock face into it and using sculptamold to fill in as necessary.
@@ChrisDahls_Railway In progress as we speak! New update coming Friday to see how it looks!
I hope you had a great break.The layout is coming together nicely.
I did! Thank you!
Hi K& W Railroader & it's is Randy and i like yours video is Cool & Thanks K & W Railroad & Friends Randy & Yes Spray Foam & Good Luck K & W Railroader & Friends Randy
@@randydobson1863 Thanks Randy!
Although you have most of your track in, what I have been doing on 4*8 layout is using both atlas code 100 and code 85 which I can buy painted with the bonus of the top of the rail is black which allows me to model less frequently used track plus indicate some maintenance is needed but miraculously is always in gauge. When the day comes to build a bigger layout, definitely will be following that concept.
I have not heard of model rail with the top being painted. I've always wondered if there was some kind of paint that could conduct electricity for the reason you mentioned. Of course, there is a rumor I've heard that with the ongoing miniaturization of electronics, all our trains will end up being radio controlled which would completely eliminate DC, DCC and most importantly...dirty track and wheels! I'll be all in when the tech arrives!
@@KandWRailroader it is actually heat trente-deux nickle silver. Coûts more but looks cool. Probably want to point the ties. Micro engineering or peco I think. Don't have a label to check.
@@AndrewMcKeown-o3k I remember Micro Engineering having "weathered rail" as an option, but I think you had to scrape the paint off where you wanted to solder. It must be a Peco product you are referring to. I don't have much experience with that brand.
@@KandWRailroader it is definitely heat treated if you remember Welding class. I use it on my layout with no problems.
foam to messy i like cardboard inter woven news paper for filler gaps then i mix drywall compound * Spakle* with water thin it out then soak paper towels add let dry two applications will be enough can add drywll compound in low laying areas and there is no need to sand anything paint as desired
It's funny you mentioned the "messy" factor because that's what I always disliked about plaster-type products. I guess I prefer a "dry" mess that I can sweep or vacuum up over a "wet" mess that's just...well...a mess. I will certainly be using plaster cloth, or sculptamold, or drywall compound where necessary, but I really like the lightweight and easy to modify nature of extruded foam for the base structure of scenery.
That's an amazing layout!
Watched the video twice.
@@chrisbarr1359 Thank you! Be sure to watch the entire playlist so you can see how it all came together!
Great update and I envy the space that you have for this huge layout. I enjoyed your discussion about the upcoming projects but am really interested in how you will cover your window.
@@luvindemtrains Thanks for watching! I am going to use a masonite backdrop like everywhere else, but I will make it shorter, probably 12".
My vote is for Track weathering and ballast
Vote recorded! Thank you!
I’d like to see continued work on the river/gorge. I believe the river banks look like your photo in terms of depth and maybe slope. If you don’t like the slope sculptamold can help but you know the area and the prototype. It’s a lot of river, and I too have limited experience in scenics especially water, but on my new layout there is plenty to do. I am just not sold on woodland scenic realistic water. I think at least the banks should be detailed before pouring the water. And maybe even before that painting and sealing the river basin. A lot of work. I think the actual
Water should be last after all other surrounding scenes are done. Just my thoughts without any real experience with water.
Thank you for the vote! I too am inexperienced but from what I've learned, water (resin) application is practically the absolute last step. I thought I was going to really like the Woodland Scenics water, but the non-solid state makes me nervous. Part of the river base on my layout is not level due elevation differences between the helix exit and the peninsula. I couldn't resolve the issue with my rudimentary engineering skills but decided that my river will be flowing downhill in that direction anyway, and will have rapids, mini-waterfalls and such so I thought I could resolve the "un-levelness" with those features built-in to the river. I might end up being wrong in the end but from what I've learned about pouring resin for water features, I think I can work with it. Plus, I might be able to level certain portions of the river bed if absolutely necessary. I have plenty of depth to work with if it comes to that. The elevation change is only about 1" for about 8' of length so it's not horrible, but liquid will run if allowed.
@@KandWRailroader I am definitely leaning towards the resin as well for exactly the same reason, the softness factor. And from the videos I watched with resin, it didn’t seem too daunting and seemed easier than realistic water. To me it looks like resin will show whatever colors you paint the river very well. I’ll be watching with great interest because I have a similar water heater that runs laterally for about 12 feet.
@@Bliz0516 You sure you don't wanna go first so I can watch you?! 😁😆😅🤣😂 I guess my only reservation with the resin is the perfect mixing required. I've been working on pouring a concrete patio with bagged concrete for my home and mixing the concrete up properly is a real pain in the a**, that's why the Woodland Scenics version really caught my eye.
@@KandWRailroader 😂 I wish I was as far along as you are! Then I would give it a go. You are correct about the mixing. Pouring that much resin I think the 1% slope is actually going to help. You won’t need to spread as much maybe? Maybe less bubbles? Since it would be my first time, maybe I would do a test off the layout with a similar slope and see what happens. Maybe a couple of feet or so?
@@Bliz0516 A test will certainly be a good idea.
Plaster or Sculptamold. Advice is small batches. Seems to cure sooo much quicker than advertised.
@@russhodge346 Understood. Thank you!
Great work! My vote is the Gorge scene
Thank you! Vote recorded!
My vote will be the refinery. Cheers
Vote recorded! Thank you!
This is looking really good 👍😎
@@EdWhizAviationTrains Thank you!
Great progress brother!!! Layout is looking awesome!
Thank you!
Is there an aspect or location of the Kansas & Western Model Railroad that you would like to see me focus my attention on for the next update video? If so, then leave your request in the comments below! Below is a list of locations and aspects of the layout to refresh your memory, listed in order following the main line from the bottom up, starting from the west helix:
Royal Gorge Route
Canon City
Portland Cement Plant
Pueblo
La Junta Yard
Lamar
Holly
Holcomb Power Plant
Garden City
Charleston Elevator
Wichita Industrial Park
Wichita Yard
Towanda
El Dorado Industrial Park
El Dorado Refinery
Union Tank Car Company
Aspects of the layout that aren’t location specific that I can focus on:
Track weathering and ballast
Rolling stock weathering
Structures
Backdrops
Scenery
Layout skirting
Fascia/valance
The polls for this weekend will close at midnight Central U.S. time on Sunday, July 21st. Votes will be tabulated Monday and a short video update will be posted Monday afternoon regarding the vote result and my plan to carry it out. Power to the viewers!! I look forward to hearing from you!
Continue with the royal gorge has my vote.
@@carl6629 Vote recorded! Thank you!
I would like to see more work done on the Royal Gorge Route as that intrigues me as to how your going to do it...
@@TimsBitsnPieces Vote recorded! Thank you! I'm kinda interested myself to see how I manage it!
Complete the ballasting of one complete station area.
Vote recorded! Thank you!
Little By Little that’s How you work on your layout.
@@elleryparsons2433 What other way is there! 😄
Looks Awsome Just Work it The Way you want it and It will Be Cool Just Remember you Are The Biggest Crittic of that Layout People Don’t like how it Looks Ah Well.
@@elleryparsons2433 Thank you for your support!
I vote for Structures. 😎😎😎😎
Vote recorded! Thank you!
Looks great.
@@RFMCabooseNP1713 Thank you!
will vote for the gorge.
Thank you! Vote recorded!
Make A List Of what You want To do And Work With What can Be Done the fastest and It Won’t Take Long to Do it.
@@elleryparsons2433 It's been proceeding much faster than I imagined yet I don't feel like I've been rushing.
did not look like your elf worked on the layout lol Yeah have the same problem with mine around they have a stop-work problem they did have me in court pushing them to have it also
It is amazing how little gets done in there when I'm not in there doing the work myself...LOL!
i vote for the gorge scene.
Vote recorded! Thank you!
Paint and ballast track
Thank you for your vote!
You should do A video on all of your rolling stock and motive power
Interesting idea. How would you suggest I go about doing that? What would interest you in particular about my collection? Numbers? Types? Whether or not I can fill the entire Wichita yard (both sides)? I'm interested in your opinion.
@@KandWRailroader I’m interested in your plans for each locomotive for weathering if you have any. And any special details you want to change on them to either match or not match to the prototype.
@@JamesAmes-zm4ts Thank you for sharing your interest. I have not thought that far ahead regarding any rolling stock weathering, other than having a desire to do so. I'm not sure if I have an interest in matching prototypes for particular pieces of rolling stock, although I do find interest in gaining an accurate perspective of how prototypical examples should look. However, thanks to your comment, I will definitely put some more thought into this aspect of the hobby. I have certainly seen many fantastic examples out there of weathering and details and hope to be able to build my skillset in that direction. Thanks again!
@@KandWRailroader love your railroad, and love the content!
@@JamesAmes-zm4ts Thank you and thanks for watching!
Royal Gorge tunnel portal will not be visible,
can it move further left to open the angle ?
@@johnwhatmore163 It can, but I'm not sure I care if it's visible. My main concern is hiding the fact that the track is about to enter a helix. If the tunnel isn't visible from the aisle, then I don't have to do any work on the first several inches of the tunnel itself. Plus, the farther left I push the portal, the more the portal faces away from the aisle due to the track configuration. It is an imperfect solution to be sure.
@@KandWRailroader Understand completely. The base of the helix is always a challenge to make the entry look plausible without hiding even more track, because the helix forms an unnatural vertical barrel. The train could pass out of sight behind a rock outcropping as a view block, if that works when looking from the far end of the aisle. A tunnel portal starts to move away from the helix so the surrounding terrain is not unrealistically vertical, which hides more track. On one of my helix, the entry track was moved toward the aisle with a vertical backdrop to cover the helix, the tracks pass under a road bridge to enter the helix. It leaves more track exposed and provides another scene. The helix presents problems, I have two and the bedroom railroad would not be worth building without them. So as a design challenge they are here to stay.
@@johnwhatmore163 Helices are just one of those necessary evils if we want more track in less space. We do what we can to hide those monstrosities. I have been toying with the idea of creating certain aspects of the Royal Gorge Route to only really look good from the cab-level perspective. Ever since I first saw folks doing those cab-level videos, I've wanted to create one or two scene elements on my layout where from the cab-level view, you only see the miniature world created on the layout, if only for a brief moment, and no aisles or "real world" backgrounds. I think I will be attempting this with that tunnel portal into a sort of box-canyon look. I'm also going to attempt it with curve out of Canon City, which will help hide the 180 degree curve from the viewer in the aisle. We'll see if I can make it happen.
Buildings
@@nyg21bd Vote recorded! Thank you!
th-cam.com/video/bO4QuvmKyUg/w-d-xo.htmlsi=WWiTn2sqYJDd87vK
This guy uses a "similar" foam with very good results.
It would be nice to see the Gorge scenery develop.
Thank you for the vote and recommendation! I also follow his channel and have watched his technique with the same foam with interest. What I've not yet been able to find however, is a reference to the thought process behind how much foam to use, how high/deep to stack it in order to end up with the desired final appearance once it is carved. If the Royal Gorge Route wins this weekend's poll, I'm going to focus on figuring out these questions and installing those rock face foam pieces in the background behind the track.
@@KandWRailroader We are using a similar foam for our "coffee" table. currently it is on polystyrene as it is far cheaper to mess up.
from what I have seen extruded styrene is very nice to work with. also you can get lots of height with not much thickness and decent structural integrity.
I honestly don't care what wins I love your updates. and I enjoyed my time cycling through Kansas. Even with the weeks layover after getting hit by a drunk driver and waiting for a new bike.
@@lifedownunder4408 I'm sorry that your visit here was marred by an inconsiderate idiot.
Extruded foam is much easier to work with, and much less mess, but is certainly more expensive. It is amazing what some are able to do with it, including carving out full stone retaining walls and bridge supports. I was having fun carving basic embankment shapes along the river and experimenting with cutting rock faces. I'm looking forward to more of that work. I'm glad you're enjoying the channel and my construction journey. Cheers!
@@KandWRailroader I have seen people rolling up tin foil and rolling it over the extruded foam to apply texture too.
Luke Towan made individual bricks with this stuff too. He uses Extruded Styrene for almost every build with sculpt-it modelling mix as a filler.
already with that river it is easy to visualize the scene. That road would look awesome with animated vehicles on it!
@@lifedownunder4408 I love the layouts with the vehicle animation with the magnets under the layout...very cool! I had not heard of the tin foil technique, I'll have to try that out! I will probably use sculptamold or something similar to blend the bottoms of the embankments into the river bottom. It is enjoyable just thinking of the possibilities to make the scene look like the prototype.